1. DIY on any plumbed system is risky (unless you're a plumber).
2. Direct heating of water sold as a benefit - why?
3. There's little reference to the technical details: 'unique valve' that interfaces to your existing tank, a generic 'solar controller' with variable speed electric pump etc.
4. 10 year warranty - most panels have longer warranties than that.

...may be genuinely new technology, but be cautious.

I'm no expert, but I'd recommend speaking to a couple of local solar thermal suppliers and see what they suggest. Even show them that website and see what they say.

The best source for impartial information on solar DHW systems that I've come across is the Centre for Alternate Technology (cat.org.uk.) They have plenty of information available for free or for a nominal charge if you download their booklets.

As far as I can see, the whole area is becoming muddied by vendors selling over-complicated/over-priced systems, or plain old mis-informing people.

The website in question isn't selling anything radical. Drainback designs have been in use for years. Tubes can be used for direct or indirect systems, so there's nothing new there.

I'd dispute many of their claims about efficiency and reliability, but last time I did on this forum I got flamed.

there is a lot to be gained from asking people who have solar installed what they did and what they regret etc. we did this.. approached someone locally (easy to spot.. tubes on roof!) and asked if we could have a chat. they were more than happy to show us.

Red

I like like minded people... a bit like minded anyway.. well people with bits of their minds that are like the bits of my mind that I like...

btw.. we spoke to a roofer about installing the solar tubes,, and how our slates are in a bad way, and he said they dont attach to the slates - or tiles in your case, they need to go onto the timber underneath, so if thats in ok state, you could still proceed... I could of course be wrong.. but this is what we were told by someone who could easily tried to sell us a new roof..

Red

I like like minded people... a bit like minded anyway.. well people with bits of their minds that are like the bits of my mind that I like...

my prob is that i will most likely have to spend the money on fixing the rotten delaminating tiles rather than nice funky stuff like solar water. yesterday, we had a 4' by 5' hole in the roof, and it wasn't dry yesterday !

tiles, rosemarys. Pitted on outside edge, pitted on rear, if you take one out, the thing delaminates. Quite scarey really. Hole now plugged with some new tiles.

I appreciate the advice, really. Just dont like the flaming & point making. Is there a soapbox on this forum ? Another one i frequent has all the 'discussions' on there, out of the way of chat & technical.

juperwort wrote:my prob is that i will most likely have to spend the money on fixing the rotten delaminating tiles rather than nice funky stuff like solar water. yesterday, we had a 4' by 5' hole in the roof, and it wasn't dry yesterday !

Thanks for the links folks...

its ever thus.. we have been trying to get some DG windows put in for a year now.. each time we scrape the funds together (and its only 3 windows) something crops up... like finding out that the supporting internal wall.. was not supporting anything!
and perhaps we should get a new roof before solar too.. being sensible sucks...

Red

I like like minded people... a bit like minded anyway.. well people with bits of their minds that are like the bits of my mind that I like...

red wrote:
btw.. we spoke to a roofer about installing the solar tubes,, and how our slates are in a bad way, and he said they dont attach to the slates - or tiles in your case, they need to go onto the timber underneath, so if thats in ok state, you could still proceed... I could of course be wrong.. but this is what we were told by someone who could easily tried to sell us a new roof..

Quite right red.

There are two methods for roof mounted panels in-roof where the slates are removed and the panels attached to the (usually) wooden roof structure and on-roof that sits on the existing roof. Planners in general prefer the lower profile in roof. Solar panels are now a permitted development in planning terms so long as roof mounted panels do not extend more than 200 millimetres from the roof. So in-roof in a no-brainer for a damaged roof although more costly.

red wrote:there is a lot to be gained from asking people who have solar installed what they did and what they regret etc. we did this.. approached someone locally (easy to spot.. tubes on roof!) and asked if we could have a chat. they were more than happy to show us.

unless you live in hartlepool where no one has solar water....hmmmm,lol.

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